Boston Celtics chase second straight NBA title in play off field led by OKC Thunder Cleveland Cavaliers

BOSTON – The Boston Celtics launch their bid for a National Basketball Association (NBA) title repeat in a play-off landscape altered by the emergence of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder, and the intriguing threat of the new-look Los Angeles Lakers.

The Celtics, virtually unchanged from the team that lifted the franchise’s record 18th title last season, completed the best regular season by defending champions since the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, finishing second in the East with a 61-21 record – the NBA’s third best.

They led the NBA in three-pointers with nearly 18 per game and rolled into the play-offs winning 25 of their last 30 games.

But Boston insist they will be working from a clean slate when they open their post-season campaign against the Orlando Magic on April 20 (April 21, Singapore time).

“I’ve said it a lot – we’re not defending the championship,” star forward Jayson Tatum said. “We won last year. Can’t nobody take it from us.

“But last year is last season. That’s out the window. We’re not worried about anything besides the Magic right now.”

The Celtics are optimistic that last season’s NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Jaylen Brown will be ready to go against Orlando, after receiving injections for a knee injury that sidelined him for the last three regular-season games.

“He actually looks good,” said teammate Kristaps Porzingis, who echoed Tatum’s view that the Celtics are starting from scratch as they try to become the first team since Golden State in 2017-18 to win back-to-back titles.

Boston have not been the strongest team, as the regular season was dominated by Cleveland and Oklahoma City.

The Thunder, also first in the Western Conference last year, compiled the best record in the league, amassing 68 victories compared to their 57 last